Brenda Tracy files lawsuit against Michigan State board of trustees

Field Level Media|published: 06/03/2025, 8:51pm EDT

Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor and advocate for victims of sexual violence, has filed a complaint with Michigan State Universityâ€™s Title IX office accusing head football coach Mel Tucker of sexual misconduct in December 2022.

Brenda Tracy, whose sexual harassment accusations resulted in the dismissal of Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker in September 2023, filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday against the university's Board of Trustees and two individual board members.

The 51-page lawsuit filed by Tracy accuses MSU Trustees Dennis Denno and Rema Vassar of misconduct in office. According to the suit, Denno and Vassar were responsible for leaking Tracy's name to news outlets and others during the investigation.

The suit also claims the entire MSU Board of Trustees was grossly negligent, violated the university's code of ethics and conduct and committed other alleged wrongdoing. Tracy is seeking compensatory and punitive damages exceeding $75,000.

Tucker was in the third year of a $95 million, 10-year contract at Michigan State when his contract was terminated. He had about $80 million remaining on the deal.

Tucker sued Michigan State University and school leaders in August 2024, alleging that he was wrongfully fired and his constitutional rights were violated after the sexual harassment allegations.

--Field Level Media